"Hm. Alright. However, my dear ancestor, just because I lost my parents and I am extrely strong doesn’t make a Blood Moon child," Riona said, trying to deny her fate.
She was in denial. Why wouldn’t she be? Being the Blood Moon child ant more responsibility, more burden. Riona didn’t want to be weighed down by the task of saving the world or sothing like that.
A girl just wanted a peaceful life with her younger brother, enough food every day, and a comfortable place to call ho.
As the harbinger of significant change, the Blood Moon child would either be feared or exploited. With the power the child possessed, it was inevitable that they would attract many enemies.
Having the princess of this kingdom as my enemy is enough. I don’t want more enemies. So annoying.
"I know what you’re thinking. You want to transfer your responsibilities to soone else if you can. Huft. I can’t believe the Blood Moon child is soone like this," her ancestor sighed.
’Heok! How did he know?’ Riona thought. Her shock was written all over her face.
"I told you, I’ve been monitoring you closely for a while now. It’s impossible not to know what’s going on in that little head of yours. You hate troubleso things, and you’d do anything in your power to avoid them," he explained.
Riona almost called him a creep for confidently admitting he had been watching her life so closely.
"Did you realize, though, Riona? The more you tried to avoid trouble, the more it found you?"
He was right. Riona hadn’t realized it before, but now that her ancestor pointed it out, she could see it clearly.
She had stopped attending the academy because she found school botherso. Without graduating, her only chance at a decent job was through the Nightwarden.
However, the Nightwarden Trials proved even more troubleso, especially with Lisbeth’s interference.
"So, what do you want to do? It can’t be that you want to change the world, right? You’re just bored, after all."
"Actually, yes. I want you to change the world. And please, I’m not bored. I also have my duties as your ancestor, which include sending you instructions like this."
Riona rolled her eyes. "Did you forget that you weren’t supposed to tell about any of this? You said the other ancestors didn’t agree with your thods."
Her ancestor was silent for a mont before letting out a sound that was sowhere between a groan and a growl.
"I’m going to get in trouble with them later, but I still think you need to know! Soone like you would never discover your identity on your own."
That was another truth he had spoken. For Riona, she was just Florian’s sister, and that was all. She didn’t care whether she should inherit the throne or anything else. She certainly never imagined herself being the Blood Moon child.
"So, hear out. Do you know why the new emperor of Asvaldur suddenly wants to unite the vampire kingdoms?"
The current political situation was well known in the royal palace. The Asvaldur Empire had sent countless letters demanding a formal discussion about unification. They even offered to visit the Kingdom of Eira if King Valentin was too busy to travel to Asvaldur.
Riona made a guess. "Err, because Emperor Kaan is a greedy and power-hungry vampire?"
What other reason could there be? The mont Emperor Kaan was crowned, he imdiately declared unification under the Asvaldur Empire. It was clearly for his own gain, to obtain more power and wealth.
"No. Well, yes, he is a greedy and power-hungry vampire, but that’s not the sole reason. From the beginning, he has wanted the Kingdom of Eira. He wants to own you."
While the ancestor’s words were oddly phrased, Riona understood the implication. Emperor Kaan wanted to control the Blood Moon child. If he were a villain, he would use Riona to gain more power or to reshape the world according to his desires.
"Don’t let him get what he wants. You must leave before he cos for you," her ancestor urged.
"That’s exactly what I want to do. That’s what I’ve been desperately trying to achieve," Riona wailed.
If she beca a Nightwatch Novice, she would beco part of the Nightwarden, distancing herself from the royal family. Thus, even if Emperor Kaan succeeded in uniting the vampire kingdoms, Riona would still be out of his reach.
The Nightwarden acted independently. Across continents, every vampire kingdom and empire had its own Nightwarden branch. Despite being scattered, these branches reported to a central base, the Nightshade Coven.
The Nightshade Coven consisted of the first ten vampires in the world. They dispersed into different regions, which later grew into separate kingdoms. The first Nightwarden was ford in an ancient kingdom called Vonstein.
Vonstein was no more, but the elders from the first Nightwarden still lived in seclusion. They helped the Nightshade Coven oversee and control the Nightwarden branches.
In short, joining the Nightwarden was the best option for both Riona and the world, or so she thought.
"Go to Wintertooth with Thorin for now. Hide there until the situation—"
"Oh, there you are! I’ve been looking for you." The ancestor’s voice was interrupted by Sir Kai, who was covered in sweat.
What? No! Ancestor, don’t go yet! I need to hear the rest of your words. Why must I go to Wintertooth with that Alpha? Argh!!
Riona looked around frantically, trying to see if the ancestor was still around and if they could converse silently.
However, it seed that Sir Kai’s sudden appearance had dismissed the ancestor, as the weather suddenly returned to normal. Freezing, Riona crawled to get her outer dress.
"Why are you here?" he asked, helping her pick up her scattered clothes. As he held onto Riona’s coat, he raised an eyebrow. "And why did you take off your coat?"
I heard our ancestor’s voice, but he’s not the kind of ancestor you would imagine. He must sit pretty low in the hierarchy of all ancestors. Still, he was telling sothing important, and you interrupted us!
Of course, Riona couldn’t say that. Instead, she cleared her throat and said, "I was just getting so fresh air. It was pretty hot, maybe because of my anger. But I’m alright now. Why were you looking for ?"
Sir Kai handed Riona her outer coat. "His Majesty wants to see you." His eyes turned downward with guilt and pity as if he had made the decision himself.
King Valentin wanted to see Riona. This couldn’t be good, especially after what happened at the party.
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